• By Rawat Admin
• In Academic,
• Posted April 01, 2020
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GLOBAL IMPACT OF CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC ON EDUCATION SYSTEM

Corona virus (COVID-19) is a large family of viruses that causes illness, infection ranging from respiratory symptoms, fever, cold, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties to more severe cases such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Corona virus disease spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze. It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand wash, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Also avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

"GLOBAL IMPACT on EDUCATION SYSTEM"

Educators and students around the world are feeling the extraordinary ripple effect of the novel corona virus as schools shut down amid the public health emergency.

While health officials scramble to get a grip on multiple outbreaks, here is how education systems have responded.

There are school closures of some kind in 22 countries on three continents with hundreds of millions of students around the world facing upheaval, including 13 countries that have shut schools nationwide.

The countries like United Nations, India, Germany, Italy & likewise many more have warned of the unparalleled scale and speed of the educational disruption being caused by corona virus. Currently, school closures in over a dozen countries due to the COVID-19 outbreak have disrupted the education of at least 290.5 million students worldwide, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

"We are working with countries to assure the continuity of learning for all, especially disadvantaged children and youth who tend to be the hardest hit by school closures,"- addressed UNESCO. "While temporary school closures as a result of health and other crises are not new unfortunately, the global scale and speed of the current educational disruption is unparalleled and, if prolonged, could threaten the right to education."

Italy:- Lucia Azzolina, Italy's Education Minister, announced Wednesday that all schools would be closed nationwide until March 15.

More than 3,900 cases of corona virus have been confirmed in Italy, with nearly 200 deaths, making it Europe's worst-hit country thus far.

United States:- Multiple U.S. based universities have had students return home from study abroad programs in Italy after the CDC moved Italy from Alert Level 2 to Warning Level 3 on Feb. 26.

Elon University, Fairfield University, Florida International University, University of Tampa, Gonzaga University, Loyola University Chicago, Miami University-Ohio, Penn State University, Stanford University, Syracuse University, University of Maryland-College Park, University of Miami and Villanova University all wrote in statements that their students would leave Italy, or have already left Italy, for return to the U.S.

Washington State, where multiple cases of coronavirus have been reported, health officials have said there is no set protocol for school closures.

China:- Just two weeks ago, China was the only country mandating school closures. The novel coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19, emerged there in the city of Wuhan in December.

The CDC shared interim guidance for K-12 schools on how to plan, prepare and respond to COVID-19, based on what is known about the severity and transmission of the disease.

The CDC recommends schools work directly with local health departments to share information about the disease, identify resources for students and staff, update emergency operation plans, monitor and plan for absenteeism.

If schools find cases of COVID-19, then CDC recommends those schools consider the following steps:-

Temporarily cancel extracurricular group activities and large events; cancel or postpone events such as after-school assemblies and pep rallies, field trips, and sporting events; discourage students and staff from gathering or socializing anywhere; discourage gatherings at places like a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or the local shopping mall; Ensure continuity of education.

HON'BLE PM INDIA, Mr. NARENDRA MODI urged 1.3 Billion Indians to standstill united against COVID-19

Hon'ble PM-INDIA quoted that the whole world is currently passing through a period of very serious calamity that it has put all of mankind in crisis. World Wars 1 and 2 did not impact as many countries, as have been affected by ‘CORONA VIRUS’ today.

We witness the wide-spread impact of the corona pandemic even in major, developed countries today, it is wrong to assume that India will not be impacted by it.

Hence, it is imperative to keep two key factors in mind in order to combat this global pandemic - "Determination and Patience". Today, all 130 crore fellow citizens of Indians will have to further strengthen our resolve to overcome this global crisis, fulfilling all our duties as citizens, and abiding by the directions given by the Central and State governments. Today, we must all resolve to not get infected ourselves, and prevent others as well from getting infected.

PM Modi addressed citizens with one mantra which can take us through - "Hum Swasth, toh Jag Swasth", that is the world will be healthy, if we stay healthy. In a situation like this, where there is no known cure, vaccine for the disease, it is imperative that we stay healthy. Patience is an essential virtue to avoid this disease, and keep oneself healthy. And how does one practice patience? By staying away from crowds and gatherings, avoiding leaving your homes. This is called 'Social Distancing' nowadays, and is critical in these times of the global corona pandemic.

Keeping this is mind, PM Modi appealed everyone that for the next few weeks, step-out of your homes only when absolutely necessary. As far as possible, try and do your work, whether related to business or job, from home.

While it is essential that those who are in government services, healthcare services, people's representatives, media personnel remain active. Everybody else must however, isolate themselves from the rest of society. He also appealed that the elderly, senior citizens and those above 65 years of age in our families, not leave homes for the next few weeks. Today's generation may not be very familiar with this, but in the olden times, blackout was observed at night during wartime. This would at times go on for prolonged periods. Several times, there would also be blackout drills.

Further PM Modi requested fellow citizens for support on one more issue, that of people's curfew. People's curfew means a curfew imposed for the people, by the people, on the people themselves.

On 22nd March 2020, all citizen must abide by this "PEOPLE'S CURFEW" from 7 AM until 9 PM. During this curfew, we shall neither leave our homes, nor get onto the streets or roam about our localities. Only those associated with emergency and essential services will leave their homes.

22nd March will be a symbol of our effort, of our self-restraint, and our resolve to fulfil our duty in service of the nation. The success of a people's curfew on 22nd March, and the experience gained from it, will also prepare us for our upcoming challenges.

He also urged all state governments to take leadership in ensuring compliance of this people's curfew. He also requested the youth of our nation, organizations like NCC, NSS, civil society, as well as other organizations of all types to spread awareness about this people's curfew over the next 2 days.

This people's curfew will in a way be a litmus test for us, for our nation. This is also the time to see and test how prepared India is for fighting off a corona like global pandemic.

PM Modi requested citizens that in the midst of all these efforts of the people's curfew on 22nd March, he would also like to seek their support on one more matter on that day. For the past 2 months, lakhs of our people have been working day and night in our Hospitals and Airports. From doctors to nurses, hospital staff, sanitation workers, airlines employees, government staff, police personnel, media people, people associated with train-bus-auto rickshaw services, and home delivery agents; all have been selflessly serving others, without caring about themselves. In the current circumstances, these services cannot be considered to be ordinary. Today, these people run the risk of getting infected themselves. Yet, they continue to fulfil their duties, serving others. As defenders of the nation, they stand firmly between us and the corona pandemic. The nation is grateful to them all. Henceforth, he wished that on Sunday, 22nd March, we express our gratitude to all such people. On Sunday at exactly 5 pm, we all stand at the doors, balconies, windows of our homes, and give them all a 5-minute standing ovation. We clap our hands, beat our plates, ring our bells to boost their morale, salute their service. To inform people about this, he requested local authorities across the country to ring a siren at 5 pm on 22nd March.

We must with full sincerity, express our feelings towards all such fellow citizens who have lived by our value-system of "Seva Parmo Dharma" that is Service being the highest Duty.

PM Modi also urged that as the burden on hospitals is increasing, hence citizens should avoid going to the hospital for routine check-ups. When necessary, you could get the required guidance over phone from your known local doctor, family doctor, or some relative who is a doctor. In case one has a non-essential, elective surgery scheduled, he urged to postpone it by a month.

Going further PM Modi said that this global pandemic is also going to have a wide-ranging impact on the economy. Keeping in mind the economic challenges arising from the corona virus, the government has decided to set up a Covid-19 Economic Response Task Force under the leadership of the Finance Minister.

This Task Force will take decisions in the near future, based on regular interactions and feedback from all stakeholders, and analysis of all situations and dimensions. This Task Force will also ensure that all steps taken to reduce the economic difficulties are effectively implemented.

It is clear that this pandemic is deeply hurting the economic interests and well-being of our nation's middle class, lower-middle class, and poor segments. In such a time of crisis, I request the business world and high income segments of society to as much as possible, look after the economic interests of all the people who provide them services. In the coming few days it is possible these people may not be able to come to office or your homes. In such a case, do treat them with empathy and humanity and not deduct their salaries. Always keep in mind that they too need to run their homes, protect their families from illness.

PM Modi reassured all Indians that all steps necessary are being taken to ensure there is no shortage of essential items like milk, groceries and medicines. He thus urged all fellow citizens to make purchases as normal, and not hoard essential items in Panic Buying.

Last but not the least, PM Modi raised his voice strongly and said that we need to put in all our capacity and capability in protecting ourselves from the corona virus. Whether it be the Central government, State governments, local authorities, panchayats, people's representatives or civil societies; everyone is contributing in their own way in the fight against this global pandemic. You too, must give your full contribution. It is critical that in this environment of a global pandemic, humanity emerges victorious, India emerges victorious! The festival of Navratri is coming up in a few days. This is a festival of worshipping 'Shakti'. That India moves ahead with full Shakti, full Strength and Energy, is his heartfelt wish to one and all.